Water skis



1960 KAM FONG LEUNG 2,959,795

WATER SKIS I Filed Sept. 3, 1957 .n llllllrl W .INVENTOR. Korn Fong Leung AZTORA ET United States Patent '0 WATER SKIS Kam Fong Leung, 4923 Wren Way, Dallas, Tex.

Filed Sept. 3, 1957, Ser. No. 681,773

Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This invention relates to water skis, and it concerns more particularly a pair of skis capable of being used also as a sled.

An object of the invention is to provide, in a pair of water skis, means for removably connecting the skis in spaced relation to each other and interchangeable means for detachably connecting the skis to the feet, or alternatively, to the base of a chair, whereby the skis are capable of being used also as a sled. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a pair of water skis, means removably connecting the skis in spaced relation to each other to assist beginners in learning to ski.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski having a concave bottom surface, as viewed in transverse section, terminating at its side edges in a pair of longitudinal runners, circular in cross section, the ski being progressively narrower from front to back and the runners being of progressively smaller diameter, and a longitudinal rib of progressively reduced width and progressively increased depth being formed on the under side of the ski, the arrangement being such that the ski affords a smooth, straight ride.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ski of the type described which may be used advantageously on snow as well as water.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ski which is of simple, rugged construction and may be manufactured inexpensively, is capable of superior performance in use and is comparatively indestructible.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a pair of water skis embodying the invention, showing the skis removably connected to each other and showing the foot clamps in place;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view taken on the lines 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken on the lines 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken on the lines 44 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view on an enlarged scale, taken on the lines 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showing a chair supported upon the skis; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the skis shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, a pair of water skis embodying the invention are designated generally by the numerals 1. Each of the skis 1 has a concave bottom surface, as viewed in transverse section, terminating at its side edges in a pair of longitudinal runners 2, which are circular in cross section. The ski 1 is progressively narrower from front to back, and the runners 2 are of progressively smaller diameter. A longitudinal rib 3, which is of progressively reduced width and progressively increased depth, is formed on the under side of the ski 1. The arrangement is such that the ski affords a smooth, straight ride.

The skis 1 are connected in spaced relation to each other as hereinafter described. Each of the skis has a wedge shaped boss 4 formed on its upper surface for engagement with a similarly shaped clamping member 5. Each of the clamping members 5 has downwardly turned marginal portions for sliding engagement with the adjacent edges of the corresponding boss 4. The marginal portions of the clamping members 5 and the adjacent edges of the corresponding bosses 4 have mutually engaging dovetail grooves formed therein. The arrangement is such that the clamping members 5 may be wedged tightly in engagement with the respective bosses 4 by advancing them relative thereto along the mutually engaging grooves.

The clamping members 5 are additionally secured to the skis 1 by bolts 6, which are inserted through aligned openings provided therefor in the skis 1 and the clamping members 5 and have nuts 7 applied to the ends thereof.

A pair of arcuate members 8 are each pivotally connected at one end, as at 9, to one side of one of the clamping members 5. The arcuate members 8 are adjustably connected in overlapping engagement with each other by bolts 10, each of which is selectively inserted through one of several pairs of mutually alignable openings provided therefor in the respective arcuate members 8 and have wing nuts 11 applied to the ends thereof.

The arcuate members S are positioned forwardly of the skis 1, and together fonn an arch which is curved forwardly as well as upwardly toward its center, so that they are positioned well above the water and forwardly of the rider.

Each of the skis 1 has a wedge shaped boss 12, similar to the boss 4 and positioned rearwardly thereof, formed on its upper surface for engagement with a similarly shaped supporting member 13. Each of the supporting members 13 has downwardly turned marginal portions for sliding engagement with the adjacent edges of the corresponding boss 12. The marginal portions of the supporting members 13 and the adjacent edges of the corresponding bosses 12 have mutually engaging dovetail grooves formed therein. The arrangement is such that the supporting members 13 may be wedged tightly in engagement with the respective bosses 12 by advancing them relative thereto along the mutually engaging grooves.

The supporting members 13 are additionally secured to the skis 1 by bolts 14, which are inserted through aligned openings provided therefor in the skis 1 and the supporting members 13 and have nuts 15 applied thereto.

As shown best in Fig. 7, each of the supporting members 13 has heel and toe engaging members, numbered 16 and 17, connected thereto whereby the ski 1 is capable of being attached to the foot of the rider. The heel engaging member 16 has a slot 18 therein for engagement by a screw 19 whereby it is adjustably connected to the supporting member 13.

As shown in Fig. 6, a pair of supporting members 20, which are interchangeable with the supporting members 13 shown in Fig. 7, each have a sleeve 21 connected in tangential relation thereto for telescoping engagement with the adjacent end of a tubular member 22 comprising a base portion of the frame of a chair. The tubular member 22 is passed through the sleeve 21, and is additionally secured thereto by suitable means.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a pair of water skis each having a wedge shaped boss on its upper surface, forwardly thereof, a pair of clamping members each conforming substantially to the shape of onecif the bossesand fremovably connected thereto, the clamping members having downwardly turned marginal portions for sliding engagement with the adjacent edges of the respective bosses, the marginal portions of the clamping members and the adjacent edges of the bosses having mutually engaging dovetail grooves therein whereby the clamping members are adapted to be wedged tightly in engagement with the bosses upon advancing them r'elative thereto along the mutually engaging grooves, a pairof afcuate i'h'e'mbers each having means pivo'tally connecting it at one end to one side of one of the clampingmer'nbe'fs whereby the arcuate member is movable 'pivotally-"about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding ski, and means removably and adjustably connecting the arcuate members in overlapping engagement with each other, the arcuate members "together forming an arch which is curved forwardly as Well as upwardly toward its center, so that they normally extend substantially above the water and forwardly 'of the 'rider.

2. The structure of claim 1, the skis each having a concave bottom surface, as viewed in transverse section, terminating at its side edges in a pair of longitudinal runners, circular in cross section, the skis being progressively narrower, and the runners being of progressively smaller diameter, from the front of the ski to the back thereof, the skis each having a longitudinal rib on its under side extending along its longitudinal center line, the rib being of progressively reduced width and progressively increased depth from the front of the ski to the back thereof, the arrangement being such that the skis afford a smooth, straight ride.

3. The structure of claim 1, the skis each having a second wedge shaped boss on its upper surface, rearwardly of the first mentionedboss, and a pair of supporting members each conforming substantially to the shape of one of the last mentioned bosses and removably connected thereto, the supporting members having downwardly turned marginal portions for sliding engagement with the adjacent edges of the respective bosses, the marginal portions of the supporting members and the adjacent edges of the bosses having mutually engaging dovetail grooves therein whereby the supporting members are adapted to be wedged tightly in engagement with the bosses upon advancing them relative thereto along the mutually engaging grooves.

4. The structure of claim 3, the supporting members having means for removably securing them to the feet of the rider.

5. The structure of claim 3, the supporting members having means for removably securing them to the base portion of the frame of a chair whereby the chair is capable of being supported on the skis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,091,259 Voller Mar. 24, 1914 2,184,791 Broome Dec. 26, 1939 2,248,307 Richards et a1. July 8, 1941 2,389,001 Schatz Nov. 13, 1945 2,389,729 Howland Nov. 27, 1945 2,716,2A6 Billingham Aug. 30, 1955 FOREEGN PATENTS 720,242 France Dec. 3, 1931 

